Australia's largest rice producer eyes expansion in Vietnam

The information was shared by Paul Serra, CEO of SunRice in a meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Canberra, Australia on March 8. The meeting was scheduled as part of PM Chinh’s official visit to Australia, slated for March 7-9.

Sharing about the group's presence in Vietnam Serra noted,“In 2008, SunRice purchased the controlling stake at Lap Vo rice processing mill in Dong Thap with a processing capacity of 260,000 metric tons per year. Since 2022, SunRice has partnered with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research to implement the project on the Mekong Delta sustainable rice value chain development. The project aims to develop high-yield, high-quality, and sustainable varieties for international markets.”

The CEO also briefed on SunRice’s investment and business situation in Vietnam and shared the expansion plan going forward. He said he appreciated Vietnam’s ongoing project to grow one million hectares of high-quality and low-emission rice in the Mekong Delta by 2030.

PM Chinh said he hoped that the group, with its network and influence, will help Vietnamese companies connect with Australian counterparts to enhance Australia-Vietnam cooperation in the agricultural sector towards green production and healthy competition.

The PM expects that SunRice will continue to expand investments and facilitate the development of the rice supply chain in Vietnam. He suggests the group bolster technology transfer and partnerships with Vietnamese businesses, working directly with farmers to stabilise input and output as well as building warehouses, thereby contributing to increasing the yield, added value, and quality of Vietnamese rice.

He also proposed SunRice to help Vietnamese products make deeper penetration into the global supply chain, especially in the Halal food industry, creating livelihoods to improve people’s lives and contributing to socioeconomic development.

In addition, he also called on the group to explore the possibility of expanding its operation for other Vietnamese agricultural products, such as fruit and seafood.

SunRice is a consumer-focused global food group comprising multiple businesses. It was built by the Australian rice industry over many decades ago, and today it is one of Australia’s leading branded food exporters.

With revenues exceeding $1 billion and operations and markets spanning the globe, SunRice supplies more than 50 countries with diverse and nutritious food products, and its operations and assets span Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, the United States, Papua New Guinea, the Pacific Islands, and Asia.

Australia’s SunRice Group acquires rice processing factory in Vietnam This is the first direct investment of SunRice Group in Vietnam, and a significant step towards developing a full and sustainable supply chain in the country.

Australia’s Corio signs an MoU with EVNGENCO3 for offshore wind Australia’s Corio Generation, the offshore wind energy branch of Macquarie's Green Investment Group, has signed an MoU with EVNGENCO3, a subsidiary of Vietnam Electricity (EVN), for offshore windfarm development in Vietnam.

Vietnam and Australia to enhance engagement under comprehensive strategic partnership Enhancing economic engagement is highlighted as Australia and Vietnam upgrade relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.